ONE THOUSAND FAMOUS THINGS 99

Pray be Silent

HEBE a pretty baby lies,
Snug asleep with lullabies 5
Pray be silent and not stir
The easy earth that covers her.

Robert Herrick

More Rich Than Cleopatra's Tomb

SAW a fly within a bead
Of amber cleanly buried :
The urn was little, but the room
More rich than Cleopatra's tomb.

Robert Herrick

i

Robert Herrick Sings
I SING of brooks, of blossoms, birds, and bowers,
Of April, May, of June, and July flowers ;
I sing of maypoles, hock-carts, wassails, wakes,
Of bridegrooms, brides, and of their bridal-cakes.
I write of youth, of Love, and have access
By these, to sing of cleanly wantonness.
I sing of dews, of rains, and, piece by piece,
Of balm, of oil, of spice, and ambergris.
I sing of times trans-shifting ; and I write
How roses first came red and lilies white.
Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May
I^^ATHEE, ye rosebuds while ye may :
VJ Old Time is still a-flying ;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be done,
The nearer he's to setting.
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer ;
But, being spent, the worse and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
And whilst ye may go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
You may for ever tarry.
' Robert Herrick